. >> it was the new 19th of april, 2005, that joseph ratzinger became the first german pope in nearly 500 years. >> the cardinals have chosen me, a humble laborer in the lord's vineyard. i>> it was the life devoted to the church. he was born in a tiny village in upper bavaria. his family was devoted catholic. he studied theology and rose quickly through the ranks of the church. he became known for his humility and develop a large following. at world youth day in cologne, his mission was to unite faith with reason. the pope wanted to promote inter-faith the dialogue as the relationship became strained. he downgraded muslims with a controversial comment about islam in 2006. while he professed respect for jews, he created an uproar when he revoked the excommunication of rebel bishops, among them a conservative who denies the holocaust. perhaps his most testing time, allegations surfaced that catholic priests had sexually abused and raped children for decades and it was tolerated by church superiors. in 2011, he returned to germany and he told parliament that religion had lost its meaning